Pretoria - Deputy Minister in the Presidency Buti Manamela has encouraged young people to take advantage of the business opportunities available to them.
“We need more young entrepreneurs. Small business and entrepreneurship is a mechanism to draw new entrants into the economy, strengthen inclusive growth, build the social economy, encourage solidarity and create large numbers of jobs,” Deputy Minister Manamela said.
Speaking in Ekurhuleni on Thursday during the 7th OR Tambo Uhuru African Initiative and the launch of the Legends in the Making, he said the Industrial Development Corporation, Small Enterprise Finance Agency and National Youth Development Agency partnership has set aside R2.7 billion to fund youth owned enterprises.
“We hope that this fund will create entrepreneurial legends,” Deputy Minister Manamela said.
He said government has several exciting plans in place to grow small business and to ensure greater levels of entrepreneurship.
The National Youth Policy 2020 will drive a massive youth entrepreneurship training programme.
“If young people are to lead the rise of Africa - our continent, then our leadership must be based on the shared value of solidarity. As young people we must stand in solidarity, we must act in solidarity for the pursuit of justice, equality, development and human rights,” Deputy Minister Manamela said.
He said the youth should not let the sacrifices of those who secured the county’s historic freedom and democracy be in vain.
“Over the next five years government will move to deepen our economic transformation. The key driver in this regard is the National Development Plan (NDP), our strategic vision for 2030,” he said.
Deputy Minister Manamela said today’s generation had a responsibility to build on the foundations of the country’s democracy and make it stronger. –SAnews.gov.za
